Love coaching? Grow your skills and help others by volunteering with Empower Work
Marta Hanson is an Empower Work advisor and peer counselor committed to helping workers thrive. She writes about topics that come up on Empower Work's free, confidential text line, both to support workers and to encourage new volunteers to join the Empower Work community.
If you’re a coach, you know how powerful it is to help people grow, solve problems, and take meaningful action. But did you know that you could use your coaching skills to support vulnerable workers—and sharpen your own knowledge in the process?
Empower Work provides support through a free, confidential text line for people experiencing work challenges, and the text line is staffed by volunteer peer counselors with skills like yours. And we could use your help!
Why Volunteer with Empower Work as an established coach?
Volunteering with Empower Work is a meaningful, flexible way to give back and continue developing your coaching skills—and even earn hours toward coaching certifications or accreditations. Here are a few benefits of volunteering as you’re considering whether it’s right for you.
1. Use—and deepen—your coaching skills (for free)
As a coach, you likely have strong skills in active listening, asking insightful questions, and helping people find their own solutions. Even if you’re already an experienced coach, the free Empower Work volunteer training can help deepen your skills in building trust, active listening, and helping people navigate workplace dynamics. In fact, over 95% of volunteer peer counselors report learning new skills in the training—including those who had relevant experience beforehand.
Volunteering with Empower Work allows you to practice your coaching skills by supporting people facing tough work situations. Many people who reach out to Empower Work need a listening ear, a fresh perspective, or guidance in figuring out their next steps—exactly the kind of support a great coach provides. Plus, you’ll connect with people outside your existing networks, expanding your own sphere of impact.
One peer counselor reflected: “I discovered Empower Work at the beginning of my career transition into coaching. I believed that volunteering could possibly provide an opportunity for practice. Although I had received coaching training from various other free and paid sources, I was astounded by the comprehensiveness of the training provided by Empower Work. The framework was straightforward enough to quickly internalize, yet flexible enough to apply in all situations.”
2. Make a meaningful impact
Coaches know the value of personal growth and transformation. By volunteering with Empower Work, you’re helping people who might not otherwise have access to coaching support. Empower Work peer counselors enable increased confidence, clarity, agency, empowerment, and economic security for people who reach out to the text line for support. In fact, over 90% of people who text with Empower Work report feeling better and more prepared to take action after talking to a volunteer. Your time and expertise can truly change someone’s outlook.
As one peer counselor shared, “I believe so strongly in the power of coaching, and that everyone can and should have the experience of good coaching at work. It’s clear that so many of our texters do not have anyone they can talk with candidly at work, much less someone who has coaching or counseling experience. It feels really valuable and do-able to provide that support to individuals via my volunteer shifts.”
3. Volunteer on your own schedule
One of the great things about volunteering with Empower Work is its flexibility. You can set your own hours and volunteer from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. Whether you have a full coaching practice, a busy job, or other responsibilities, you can give back in a way that fits your life.
BONUS! Earn hours toward coaching certification or accreditation
If you’re working toward a coaching certification or accreditation, Empower Work volunteer time can count towards the hours you need. Just make a note in your application, and your volunteer coordinator will work with you based on your unique circumstances.
Take the next step today
If you’re passionate about coaching and want to use your skills to make a difference, Empower Work is the perfect place to volunteer. Apply today and start using your coaching expertise to help others!
Becoming an Empower Work volunteer is simple. The first step is to apply to become an Empower Work volunteer, where you’ll be able to share more about your coaching background and your interest in volunteering. Volunteer training cohorts start every few weeks.
If you’d like to learn more before applying, click here to hear from current Empower Work volunteer peer counselors.
Here at Empower Work, we also know helpers sometimes need help too. If you’re feeling like you’d like some support, text 510-674-1414 or start a web chat to chat with one of our peer counselors.
*Note: Empower Work provides non-legal support for workplace challenges. This information, while authoritative, is not legal advice or guaranteed for legality. Employment laws and regulations vary by state. We recommend consulting with state resources for specific interpretation and decisions. If you believe you were discriminated against in violation of the law, we recommend you seek legal advice.